Sarah Campbell, NDP MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, supported Grassy Narrows youth who were in the public gallery of the Ontario legislature today to ask Premier Wynne to clean up the mercury poisoned Wabigoon River. 

“Many community members are here with us today. Many of the youth, who travelled 1,700 kilometres, are watching today,” Campbell said. 

“Premier, will you look at these youth from Grassy Narrows and tell them that a river that poisons them today, won’t be clean tomorrow, and will never be clean in their lifetime?”

The people of Grassy Narrows have been told since 1970 not to eat the fish they’ve relied on as a central part of their life since time immemorial, because of mercury that was dumped into the river that makes them sick.  “They’ve been asking the Ontario government to fix it ever since,” Campbell said.

During Question Period today, Ontario NDP Energy Critic, Peter Tabuns, said the Wynne government should stop driving up electricity bills for Ontario families by supporting conservation programs instead of costly nuclear plants.

“When Ontario already has a massive energy surplus, adding billions to our electricity bills, why didn’t the Minister hold back on costly nuclear projects, so Ontarians can finally be rewarded for their conservation efforts?” Tabuns said.

Earlier this week, the Environmental Commissioner said that conservation was Ontario’s cheapest energy option.  But OPG is proceeding with an expensive nuclear refurbishment plan that will add over $5 per month to electricity bills in the province.  “That is if these nuclear projects do not go over budget. But of course, nuclear projects always go over budget,” Tabuns said.

Thank-you very much, Mary-Rita.

Bonjour mes amis! Hello New Democrats!

It’s great to see you all again!

We have a busy weekend ahead of us.

Important meetings here at Council. 

And, tomorrow, the J.S. Woodsworth Awards to honour leaders in our communities who are standing up for human rights and for greater equity in this province.

I want to thank the Ethno-Racial Equity Committee and everyone who’s been part of organizing that event tomorrow. And I hope to see many of you there.

Today during Question Period, Oshawa MPP and NDP Pensions critic, Jennifer French, called on Premier Wynne to support Ontario’s workers by backing an enhanced Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

“New Democrats support a strong public pension plan. We believe that all Ontarians should be able to retire in dignity. This government, however, is excluding thousands—if not millions—of Ontario workers and their families,” French said.

This month, the provinces will talk about a potential increase to the CPP, a plan that leaves no Canadian behind. Ontario’s participation is needed to move conversations forward: changes to the CPP require agreement from both the federal government, and two-thirds of provinces with two-thirds of the population. As the most populous province, Ontario has the ability to direct CPP talks, and even to stop a CPP enhancement.  The Ontario government has suggested that the design of the ORPP—which leaves out thousands of workers—be mirrored in any future CPP enhancement.

“Even the federal government has expressed concerns that the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP)—which leaves out thousands of workers—may prevent a future CPP enhancement,” French said. “Premier, will the government support a universal enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan so that every worker in this country benefits?”

During Question Period today, NDP Aboriginal Affairs critic, France Gélinas, demanded Premier Wynne listen to Grassy Narrows First Nations leaders in Toronto today.  They are calling on her to act on a scientific report that says mercury contamination of the Wabigoon river can be remediated.  

 “Yesterday, the Premier said she didn’t know the source and had not read the report into cleanup options for the mercury poisoning of the First Nation People of Grassy Narrows,” Gélinas said.  “Well, it was the government-appointed working group, and I don’t know why no one in the government has read it, since they got the report back in April.”

Gélinas said that despite the report that found mercury contamination continues in the Wabigoon river, and that cleanup can be enhanced safely and economically, the Wynne government continues to claim cleanup is unnecessary.    MPP Gélinas said that last February a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment said:  “Currently there is no evidence to suggest that mercury levels in the river system are such that any remediation, beyond continuing natural sedimentation remediation, would be warranted.”

During Question Period today, Sarah Campbell, NDP MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, demanded the Premier listen to the Kokopenace family, and the Grassy Narrows community, and support their call for a coroner’s inquest into the death of their daughter, Azraya Kokopenace.

“There’s a lot we don’t know about what happened to Azraya: why did the police drop her off at the hospital? And why did she walk away?” Campbell said.  “But what we do know, from her father, is that Azraya needed help. Azraya was involved with the child welfare system, and under the care of the hospital when she went missing.”

“Will the Premier commit to bring the Kokopenace family, and her community of Grassy Narrows, some peace and back their call for a coroner’s inquest?” Campbell said.  

In April, Azraya Kokopenace, a 14-year-old girl, and member of the Grassy Narrows First Nation, walked away from the Lake of the Woods Hospital in Kenora. She was found dead two days later.  

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath delivered the following response today to the Government of Ontario's apology for brutalities committed for generations at residential schools and the continued harm this abuse has caused to Indigenous cultures, communities, families and individuals.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Elder Dumont and Elder Charles, Regional Chief Day, President Froh, President Obed, President McMahon, President Dr. Lavell-Harvard, Reverend Wesley and all the indigenous leaders, youth and residential school survivors that have joined us here today. Thank you for being here. Meegwetch.

I want to thank all of the elders, chiefs and guests who are here today in this House on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. There was a time when this House, this province and its institutions were not just complicit but part of authorizing and allowing the most egregious and harmful policies towards First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. For years, governments in this province and in this country did everything they could to ignore and violate the human rights and treaty rights of indigenous peoples, to eliminate cultural practices and to eliminate aboriginal governments, replacing existing forms of aboriginal government and in the process disempowering aboriginal women, who held significant, powerful roles in many First Nations.

Destroy indigenous communities and destroy families. Canada engaged in cultural genocide. As the chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Justice Murray Sinclair, writes in the commission’s final report, residential schools are “one of the darkest, most troubling chapters in our nation’s history.” They targeted the most vulnerable people: children. They tried to break the spirit of indigenous peoples, and as Justice Sinclair says, “That any indigenous person survived the culturally crushing experience of the schools is a testament to their resilience and to the determination of those members of their families and communities who struggled to maintain and pass on to them what remain of their diminishing language and traditions.” It is a testament to survivors like Reverend Wesley and to the strength of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples across Canada. And this recognition today in this House is long overdue.

During Question Period today, France Gélinas, the Ontario NDP’s Aboriginal Affairs critic, demanded to know when the Premier was going to ensure safe drinking water for Ontario’s First Nations people.

“Here in Ontario in 2016, First Nations children are sick because of untreated water,” Gélinas said.  “Does the Premier think that it is acceptable that, after 13 years of Liberal government, First Nation Ontarians in 90 communities still do not have safe drinking water?”

This morning, Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada, told the Ontario legislature that 90 First Nations communities in Ontario do not have safe drinking water. In Kashechewan, it contributed to a rash of skin lesions for young children.

Gélinas told the Premier to stop waiting for the federal government and  take responsibility, and action, to begin ensuring that all First Nations people in Ontario have access to safe drinking water.

“Water is a basic human right. The rest of us in Ontario, we take it for granted. But when I asked the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, I’m told that it is a federal responsibility. But you know what? Infrastructure needs in First Nations communities is an Ontario responsibility. We don’t need to pass the buck on that one,” Gélinas said.

“I would like the Premier to tell this House when will First Nation Ontarians, living in 90 First Nation communities—communities like Curve Lake, like Pikangikum, like Shoal Lake 40, like Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug—have safe drinking water?”

During Question Period today, Sarah Campbell, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River, called on Premier Wynne for a commitment to clean up mercury contamination of the Wabigoon River in Grassy Narrows, following the release of a new scientific report that says cleanup of the river is possible.

 “Will the Premier commit today to an action plan to clean up the Wabigoon River so that future generations don’t have to grow up poisoned and the community of Grassy Narrows can heal?” Campbell said.

Groups supporting the Grassy Narrows First Nation held a press conference at Queen’s Park today to release an independent study commissioned by the First Nation, that recommends cleaning up the Wabigoon-English River system of the mercury that was dumped there 50 years ago.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath honoured Ontarians yesterday for their contributions towards eliminating racism in Ontario at the 19th Annual J.S. Woodsworth Awards.

 “Award recipients have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to human rights, equity and the fight to end racial discrimination. Together, they have worked for the rights of all people in Ontario to live with respect and dignity.  They have made important contributions to the province in their work to eliminate racism, by fighting prejudice and hatred based on colour, race, or ethnic origin,” Horwath said.

The J.S. Woodsworth awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations from across Ontario for significant contributions towards the goal of eliminating racial discrimination in our society. 

WINDSOR – Ontario NDP Education critic and the MPP for Windsor-West, Lisa Gretzky, released the following statement in response to People for Education’s Annual Report:

“Today’s report from People for Education highlights major disparities between urban and rural boards in terms of access to specialized supports and services in schools like arts, physical education, and special education.  These findings are not surprising considering that the Liberal government has cut $10 million dollars from the geographic circumstances grant (which helps to keep small rural schools open) over the last two years.

New Democrats believe that all children should be given an equal opportunity to succeed and have access to the same level of services.  Quite simply, where a child lives should not determine the quality of education or supports that they receive. The Liberal government must stop simply talking about investing in education and take concrete steps to ensure that all students receive equitable access to publicly funded education in Ontario.”    

Today, Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath announced that former Parkdale High Park Federal MP, Peggy Nash will be joining the Ontario NDP team at Queen’s Park in the role of Senior Policy Advisor, Stakeholder Relations.

“From the House of Commons to Toronto’s High Park, from her time in politics to her time as a leader in the labour movement, Peggy has been a tireless fighter for a vision of a progressive Canada that we all share, a place where no one is left behind,” said Horwath.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have Peggy join us here at Queen’s Park; her years of experience, her wisdom, tenacity and strength will be a tremendous asset to our already strong team.”

“The Ontario NDP is leading the way on so many issues I care deeply about; the fight for high-quality health care, good jobs you can raise a family on and on stopping the short-sighted selloff of Hydro One. I’m glad to be a part of this team as they build towards electing an NDP government in 2018,” said Nash.

“I can’t wait to get to work at with Andrea at Queen’s Park and in communities across this province,” said Nash.

Peggy Nash was first elected to represent Parkdale-High Park in Parliament in 2006 and served as Finance and Industry Critic. She was a Canadian election observer in South Africa and in Ukraine.

She is a founding member of Equal Voice, a multi-partisan organization that advocates for the election of more women in Canada and also served on the board of Invest Toronto and has long championed affordable housing, urban transit and environmental issues alongside economic development.

After years of the Liberal government’s failure to move forward with the long-promised twinning of Highway 17 from the Manitoba border to Kenora, Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell’s motion, that sets clear goals and timelines for this project, passed with unanimous support of the Ontario legislature today.

The motion calls for the expansion and four-lane widening of Highway 17, from the Manitoba border to the City of Kenora by 2020, with the Minister of Transportation to provide updates every 6 months.

“Today we have taken an important step towards the long-standing promise of expanding and twinning Highway 17,” Campbell said.

The NDP submitted over 80 pages of amendments to make Bill 172 more fair, effective and transparent. 

The Liberal government voted down most of them. They did agree to the following key changes in response to NDP amendments all of these were weakened versions of the actual NDP amendments:

• Apply a “low-income lens” when administering the cap-and-trade system and developing the climate change action plan

• Require a report about the report to the Treasury Board assessing the likely impact of proposed climate change initiative

• Improve transparency concerning the distribution of free allowances

• Require the Minister to update the Legislature on the status of its climate change action plan every year, instead of every five years

NOTE: while Bill 172 requires the creation of a climate change action plan, it does not specify details such as those that have been recently disclosed by the Globe and Mail.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement regarding electoral finance reform:

"We've been clear that it's time to get the influence of big money out of government and politics in Ontario.

However, we are disappointed that the Liberals have chosen to make something as important as changing the rules of our democracy a partisan issue rather than allowing it to move forward with a fast-moving, non-partisan panel led by an independent party like the Chief Electoral Officer with substantive input from the public, academia, labour, business and all major political parties.  

During Question Period today, Monique Taylor, the Ontario NDP’s Children and Youth Services critic, demanded the Liberal government listen to its own expert advisors, and stop trying to save money on the backs of children with autism.

“You can’t claim to be making decisions based on science if you’re ignoring the experts behind the science.   This is about vulnerable children that deserve access to promised life-changing therapy.  It’s time to put them first,” Taylor said.   “This Liberal government needs to stop thinking they know more than clinicians, and listen to experts who are sounding the alarm.”

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has released new information showing evidence of overcrowding in many Ontario hospitals. Documents obtained by New Democrats through Freedom of Information show acute care beds in hard-hit regional hospitals as well as large urban hospitals are over 100 percent capacity in hospitals across the province – and reveal that the Liberal government has no standards or best-practices for managing hospital occupancy. 

“When Ontarians need health care, it should be there for them. But today, at the same time as many Ontario hospitals are filled to capacity, the Liberals keep cutting hospital services, laying off health care workers, and closing beds,” said Horwath. “It’s clear that health care is the silent crisis of the Wynne government. The Liberals refuse to even admit that hospital overcrowding is a problem in Ontario.”

During Question Period today, NDP transportation critic, Wayne Gates, demanded the Liberal government assure Torontonians that it won’t force them to pay for its transit mistakes, following reports that Metrolinx has asked Ottawa’s OC Transpo to pay 10 per cent of its fare revenue for the use of Presto, five times more than what it currently pays. 

“Negotiations with Metrolinx are always one-sided. Metrolinx and the government can force transit agencies to take whatever deal they want,” Gates said.  “Metrolinx currently charges the TTC five per cent of fare revenue for Presto.  When that agreement runs out, will Metrolinx also demand 10 per cent of the TTC’s fare revenue?” 

Gates said that in 2010, Premier Wynne, who was then the Minister of Transportation, told the TTC to stop shopping around for a better smart card, and stick with Presto. 

“She said the TTC had better take Presto, or else she would cancel funding for Transit City.  She eventually killed Transit City anyway, but only after the TTC had bent to her will and agreed to take Presto,” Gates said.  “This was in spite of problems, cost over-runs and a warning by the Auditor General who said, ‘By the time it is fully developed, Presto will be among the more expensive fare-card systems in the world.’”